Reddit's API is effectively dead for archival. Third-party apps are gone. Reddit has threatened to cut off access to the Pushshift dataset multiple times. But 3.28TB of Reddit history exists as a torrent right now, and I built a tool to turn it into something you can browse on your own hardware.
The key point: This doesn't touch Reddit's servers. Ever. Download the Pushshift dataset, run my tool locally, get a fully browsable archive. Works on an air-gapped machine. Works on a Raspberry Pi serving your LAN. Works on a USB drive you hand to someone.
What it does: Takes compressed data dumps from Reddit (.zst), Voat (SQL), and Ruqqus (.7z) and generates static HTML. No JavaScript, no external requests, no tracking. Open index.html and browse. Want search? Run the optional Docker stack with PostgreSQL – still entirely on your machine.
API & AI Integration: Full REST API with 30+ endpoints – posts, comments, users, subreddits, full-text search, aggregations. Also ships with an MCP server (29 tools) so you can query your archive directly from AI tools.
Self-hosting options:
- USB drive / local folder (just open the HTML files)
- Home server on your LAN
- Tor hidden service (2 commands, no port forwarding needed)
- VPS with HTTPS
- GitHub Pages for small archives
Why this matters: Once you have the data, you own it. No API keys, no rate limits, no ToS changes can take it away.
Scale: Tens of millions of posts per instance. PostgreSQL backend keeps memory constant regardless of dataset size. For the full 2.38B post dataset, run multiple instances by topic.
How I built it: Python, PostgreSQL, Jinja2 templates, Docker. Used Claude Code throughout as an experiment in AI-assisted development. Learned that the workflow is "trust but verify" – it accelerates the boring parts but you still own the architecture.
Live demo: https://online-archives.github.io/redd-archiver-example/ GitHub: https://github.com/19-84/redd-archiver (Public Domain)
Pushshift torrent: https://academictorrents.com/details/1614740ac8c94505e4ecb9d88be8bed7b6afddd4
Wait, do you have an issue with piracy in general or an issue with the arr attack specifically? No judgement or interest in argument, just genuinely curious. Feel free to dm if you don’t want to start a whole thing, or beat your tin pan as you said, in an unrelated post.
I don't mind stating here: Piracy in general. I don't condemn those who do because, as I've said, you are autonomous adults capable of making your own decisions. You know the risks and you take steps to mitigate those risks. You and I, have both heard all the pros and cons and all the supporting arguments of both sides. Now, I know there are lots of people who rip and catalog their own DVD, CDs, etc. All fine and dandy.
The comparison was that every time AI is used here in this comm, or even suspected of use, people have a conniption and start piling on. Like moths to a flame. What does that accomplish? Nothing. It seems to just make those who are anti-AI feel superior, is about all I can get from it. To me, it's just a tool. I'll grant you it's a tool that needs some heavy regulation, even as much as I chafe against regulation. It is necessary. AI isn't going away. It's not a fad. It's here to stay. If using AI makes your blood boil, fine. Don't. Although I foresee a time where you'll use AI and not even know it.
Opinions are great too. I, like others, have a long list of them. Stating your opinions is fine too. It seems here tho, opinions turn into castigation and denigration, which is in direct violation of 'Rule 1: Be civil: we’re here to support and learn from one another.' State your opinion on AI: 'I'd rather guide my pops into my mum before I'd use AI'. Then move on. Personally, I don't state my opinion on the arr stack, because it would accomplish nothing and in the long run become tedious and obnoxious.
As far as the arr stack as software, I've never deployed it, but it is pretty darn amazing from what I've read. The dev teams that have put it all together have some knowledge to say the least. It's just not my bag.
Ahk I see, thanks for the explanation. I assumed it was a general issue with piracy, but was wondering if maybe I had missed something negative about the software specially or the contributors behind it or something.
IMHO, we can all co-exist under the selfhosting umbrella